The Pathways to Self Sufficiency program provides employment services to recipients of Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC).

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) in partnership with the Commonwealth Corporation will provide employment counseling, and access to one-stop career centers and regional employment agencies in order to help more recipients of TAFDC meet work requirements. This funding is needed because of a recent change to TAFDC disability standards in Chapter 158 of the Acts of 2014 which will likely increase the number of disabled recipients subject to work requirements.

This program, funded at $11.0 million in the initial budget passed for fiscal year (FY) 2015 (the GAA FY 2015 budget) was cut significantly in a November budget bill (a 9C cut) leaving only $1.0 million left for the program. In January the program received a further cut leaving no money available in FY 2015. The FY 2016 budget provides $3.0 million and $1 million for FY 2017. Implementation of Chapter 158 of the Acts of 2014 is pending so the effect on recipients is still to be determined. It is not clear if the funding appropriated will be enough to support the increase in services needed for recipients who might no longer qualify for a disability exemption.